People in the community are aware of how hard the students work, and the improvement is being noticed.
“Folks stop me in the store and other places and remark how sharp the band looks during various parades,” said Siewert. “People have been very complimentary.”
The current NRHEG Band is comprised of 45 musicians and eight color guard. This year’s drum majors are Amanda Groskreutz and Erin Larson. Color guard captains are Hannah Haroldson and Lexi Wayne. Drum line captain is Betsy Johannsen. Over Christmas break, the band will be motoring down to Orlando, Florida to perform in the Champ’s Sports Bowl halftime show and parade on December 29th.
“It should be quite a trip,” said Siewert. “There will be 10-12 bands all together on the field for the halftime show. I know the kids are really looking forward to it.”
Siewert’s goals for the future are to keep moving forward and getting more kids involved.
“I am going to continue improving our program,” said Siewert. “We plan on getting new uniforms. I want to motivate kids in the younger grades to be involved in band.”
The awards the band has won this past year are based on opinions of a panel of judges. Siewert wanted to recognize a special award the band was chosen to receive.
“We marched in the annual Fourth of July parade this year in Albert Lea,” said Siewert. “Our band was chosen to win the People’s Choice Award. It’s been nice to win at the local and state level, however to see the people along the parade route be so supportive of our efforts, the People’s Choice Award is the one I am the most proud of.”
